Watch Out! These Diets Can Ruin Your Smile

We’ve officially made it to 2022! Have you started working on your list of New Year’s resolutions? For most people, that usually includes weight loss and breaking bad habits. While you may have found a diet that promises to help you reach a more sustainable BMI, you should keep in mind that it could result in a few negative side effects. There are certain diets that can be detrimental to your smile. Read on to learn which diet trends can ruin your oral health.

Juice Cleanses

At first glance, an all-juice diet seems to make a lot of sense. Since fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet, juice cleanses may seem like a great way to keep your waistline slim. However, they’re not all they’re cracked up to be. If you only drink juice, you don’t get the fiber and nutrients your body needs to keep your hair, nails, skin, and teeth in optimal condition. Also, since fruit juice is highly acidic, it can wear down your enamel and increase your risk of tooth decay.

How to Keep Your Smile Safe

While it’s okay to have an occasional glass of juice, you shouldn’t build your diet around it. Instead, you should aim to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables in their whole form. If you decide to go on a juice cleanse, make sure you use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth.

Raw Food Diets

Some celebrities claim that a raw food diet is the key to weight control. After all, it allows you to get all the nutrients you need while avoiding unhealthy preservatives and chemicals. However, consuming high amounts of fruit, nuts, or seeds can ruin your teeth. Fruits contain lots of natural sugars, which can lead to tooth decay. Seeds can easily get stuck in your teeth and encourage bacteria growth.

How to Keep Your Smile Safe

Raw foods like almonds, apples, and spinach are excellent for your teeth and body. Of course, you want to make sure you’re practicing good oral hygiene and eating other foods that meet your nutritional needs. It’s a good idea to chew on sugar-free gum after you eat nuts and seeds to lower your risk of dental damage.

Small Meals

Many people claim that eating several small meals throughout the day can help you keep a slim figure. However, the more often you eat, the more time your teeth are vulnerable to damage. It doesn’t matter if you’re eating healthy snacks and small meals – your enamel will wear down over time if you eat too often and fail to clean your teeth between meals.

How to Keep Your Smile Safe

Although eating multiple small meals throughout the day can be a good way to manage your weight, you’ll need to keep your smile healthy by taking proper care of your teeth and gums. That includes practicing good oral hygiene, rinsing between meals, and sticking to a diet full of nutrient-rich foods.

As you can see, diet affects more than just your waistline – it affects your oral health too. By following a diet trend that’ll benefit your entire body, you can ensure your smile stays in its very best shape for years to come!

About the Author

Dr. Laura Philipps has over two decades of dentistry experience under her belt. Since completing dental school, she has attended numerous hours of continuing education courses to grow and refine her skill set. Dr. Philipps and her team enjoy educating patients to help them make confident decisions for their oral health. To learn more about the impact of diet trends on your smile, visit her website or call (432) 570-4433.